Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
July 26, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (359 - 54)
June 18, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
May 24, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - House (351 - 66)
May 3, 2018 VT H 25 Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Dec. 14, 2017 National HR 4324 Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 167)
Oct. 26, 2017 National HR 1698 Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 3898 Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
July 27, 2017 National HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
July 25, 2017 National HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 3)
March 30, 2017 MO HB 151 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (99 - 40)
Sept. 15, 2016 National HR 5351 To Prohibit the Transfer of Any Individual Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Bill Passed - House (244 - 174)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 20, 2016 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
Nov. 19, 2015 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
June 16, 2015 National HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
June 2, 2015 National HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
May 5, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
March 27, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 27, 2015 National S J Res 35 Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 Bill Failed - House (203 - 224)
Jan. 14, 2015 National HR 240 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (236 - 191)
Nov. 18, 2014 National S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
Sept. 9, 2014 National H Res 644 Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163)
June 19, 2014 National H Amdt 935 Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
June 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
June 6, 2013 National HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
May 22, 2013 National H Amdt 69 Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239)
April 18, 2013 National HR 624 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
March 7, 2013 National PN 48 Nomination of John Brennan to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 34)
Dec. 28, 2012 National HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
Dec. 21, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
Dec. 20, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3245 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3018 Prohibits the Indefinite Detention of Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
Nov. 14, 2012 National S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 1816 Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ S 1816 Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
Sept. 12, 2012 National HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (301 - 118)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/01 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
7/26 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (359 - 54)
6/18 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
5/24 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - House (351 - 66)
5/03 H 25 Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
12/14 HR 4324 Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 167)
10/26 HR 1698 Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
10/24 HR 3898 Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
7/27 HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
7/25 HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 3)
3/30 HB 151 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (99 - 40)
9/15 HR 5351 To Prohibit the Transfer of Any Individual Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Bill Passed - House (244 - 174)
6/20 S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
6/20 S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
1/20 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
12/03 HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
11/19 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
6/16 HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
6/02 HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
5/05 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
3/27 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/27 S J Res 35 Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 Bill Failed - House (203 - 224)
1/14 HR 240 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (236 - 191)
11/18 S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
9/09 H Res 644 Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163)
6/19 H Amdt 935 Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
11/19 S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
6/18 S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
6/06 HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
5/22 H Amdt 69 Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239)
4/18 HR 624 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
3/07 PN 48 Nomination of John Brennan to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 34)
12/28 HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
12/21 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
12/20 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
11/29 S Amdt 3245 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
11/29 S Amdt 3018 Prohibits the Indefinite Detention of Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
11/14 S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
10/25 S 1816 Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
10/18 S 1816 Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
9/12 HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (301 - 118)

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